Submitting code to NDRS for a data release

Once an external researcher has written and tested code to run analyses using the Simulacrum, it is possible to request that their code is run on the real NDRS data. Requests can be submitted to the NDRS analytical team, DARS or HDI. This section outlines the processes for making such a request. These are also outlined in the decision tree diagram in Section 5.

Generally, requests for simple analyses that produce anonymous data outputs can be made directly to the NDRS analytical team by emailing the NDRS Enquiries inbox, at [email protected].  If it takes less than 3 hours of a NDRS analyst’s time to process the request and produces anonymous outputs, the work can be done free of charge and results are released to the researcher. If the researcher supplies suitable code alongside the request, this can reduce the time needed to run the analysis and increase the likelihood of a data release through this route. Requests are placed in a queue until an analyst from the NDRS analytical team is available to undertake the work.

If the request is expected to take over 3 hours, takes over 3 hours due to unexpected issues or the results are found not to be anonymous through assessments by the NDRS analyst, the request will need to be redirected to NHS England data release services, i.e., DARS. To discuss the formal process for releases of row-level data, researchers can contact DARS directly.

For complex or repeated requests for bespoke analysis, contact HDI to enquire about their request services at [email protected].

Any code submitted alongside a request for data release should fulfil certain requirements to ensure that it is as straightforward as possible for the NDRS analyst undertaking a request. Guidance on these requirements and how best to write code are outlined in developing code using Simulacrum for a data release request section